Yukon's municipal elections bring big change to rural governments

Thursday's municipal elections in the Yukon brought a wave of change to many community governments, with new mayors set to take office in the territory's three largest communities — Whitehorse, Watson Lake, and Dawson City — along with many new councillors.

Here's a rundown of Thursday's unofficial results in Yukon's rural communities.  

Dawson City

Stephen Johnson is the next mayor of Dawson City, Yukon, after unseating Bill Kendrick in Thursday's municipal elections.

According to unofficial results, Johnson won by a margin of 25 votes. He finished with 232 votes, Kendrick followed with 207 votes, and Sue Lancaster finished third, with 156 votes.

Kendrick served one term as mayor of the Klondike capital.

Speaking to CBC News after his win, Johnson said he wants to see the town's new recreation complex completed, along with restoration work on the old CIBC building on Front Street. He also said he's "very, very keen" on land-use planning.

He said that as a mining engineer by trade, his background has "basically all been planning."

"Now, you might think, well, planning a mine is different than planning a town. Well, think about this — a mine has roads, so does a town. We have pipes in the ground, so does a town. We have to mine certain areas, and we have to open up certain areas for lots," he said.

"So it's analogous."

Four people were elected councillors in Dawson City, including Cud Eastbound, Justine Hobbs, Darwyn Lynn and Tobias Graf.

Watson Lake

Two-term town councillor Lauren Hanchar has been elected mayor of Watson Lake by a wide margin, with 277 votes to Robert Ellis's 54 votes.

"I'm obviously really excited," she told CBC News on Thursday night. "A little surprised by the results as far as council, but excited to to get going." 

Four people were elected councillor, including incumbent candidates Thomas Slager and Denina Paquette, along with William Whimp and Norma Puckett. Outgoing mayor Christopher Irvin, who ran this time to be a councillor, finished last out of the six candidates.

Hanchar said she believes people supported her for mayor because she's been a strong advocate for residents.

"I think I've just proven myself through demonstrated initiative and I think that I've earned the trust of the community," she said. 

Carmacks

Justin Lachance was elected mayor of Carmacks, defeating Kevin Untershute. Lachance was previously a town councillor.

Four people were elected as councillors in Carmacks, including incumbents Doris Hansen and Dennis Mitchell, along with Cory Bellmore and Tara Wheeler.

Election officials in Carmacks said they'll release final vote numbers when the results have been certified.

Faro

Jack Bowers was re-elected mayor of Faro, defeating challenger Lisa Snyder by 13 votes. Bowers received 106 votes, while Snyder got 93.

Four people were elected councillors in Faro, and all of them will be new to council this term: Neil Yee, Michelle Vainio, Gary Jones, and Wendy Mitchell-Larocque. Incumbent candidates Sarah McHugh and Taylor Fetterly were defeated on Thursday.

Haines Junction

Michael Riseborough has been elected mayor in Haines Junction, defeating candidates Angie Charlebois and Brian Melanson. Riseborough received 147 votes, to Charlebois's 81 and Melanson's 59.

Incumbent candidate Diane Strand was re-elected to council, along with Deborah Busche, Sydney Mackinnon, and Rob McPhie. McPhie tied for fourth with candidate Thomas Eckervogt in the vote count, but then won his council seat in a draw. 

Mayo

Mayor Trevor Ellis was acclaimed to another term.

Four people were elected councillors, including incumbent candidates Brent Chapman and Simeon Paschuk, along with Brett Stauffer and Chelsea Dolan.

Teslin

Mayor Gord Curran has been acclaimed to another term. 

Incumbent councillors Luc Johnstone and Jeff Myke were re-elected, with Juanita Kremer and Robert Hassard also elected to council.